~~Two weeks later~~It’s the day of Mabel and Mike’s wedding.I walk out of the bathroom, drying my hair, and spot Caspian still knocked out on the bed, one leg tangled in the sheets.“Really?” I say, leaning over to shake him. “You went back to bed?”He cracks open one eye and grins lazily. “Didn’t sleep well last night.”“And whose fault was that?”Caspian chuckles, completely guilty. After keeping us both up, christening every corner of the bedroom, he has the nerve to act innocent.“Do we really have to go early?” he mutters, pulling the covers over his head like a sulking child.I narrow my eyes, knowing full well that if I listen to him any longer, he’s going to try something ridiculous—like pulling me back into that bed. And honestly, I don’t know if I have the willpower to resist him a second time today. But we have a wedding to attend.I grab his arm and start dragging him, which is easier said than done since his arm probably weighs as much as I do. After a few minutes of st
The room feels tense as Gladys steps closer to Mike, her hands shaking as she reaches out. “Oh, my baby,” she whispers. Her eyes are filled with tears. It’s like she’s forgotten everyone else in the room and can only see her son.Mabel walks toward her, smiling. “You must be Gladys,” she says, sounding cheerful. “I’m glad you could come.”Mike looks confused. “Babe, what’s going on?” he asks, suspicious.Mabel stays calm, like she doesn’t see how big a deal this is. “I invited your mother,” she says matter-of-factly. “I hired someone to find her, then I told her all about you.”Mike’s eyes widen in disbelief and anger. “Why the hell would you do that?”Beside me, I feel Caspian tense up. His hands are shaking as he sits back down, looking like he’s barely holding it together. His eyes stay glued to Gladys, the woman who caused him so much pain years ago.“Because everyone needs their mother, Mikey,” Mabel says softly, like she’s doing him a favor.Mike’s jaw clenches so hard it looks
The moment Caspian sees her, something shifts in him. For a second, he doesn’t move. Doesn’t speak. It’s like he’s frozen in place, trapped by whatever memories or feelings seeing her again brings up.“Caspian,” Gladys says with a sweet tone, as if she’s greeting an old friend. “It’s been so long.”He doesn’t answer right away. His jaw clenches, and he grips the armrest of his chair like he’s trying to anchor himself.“You shouldn’t be here,” he finally says, his voice low but sharp.Gladys shrugs. “I came for Mike. Not you.”“Then leave us alone,” I say. She turns her attention to me, looking me over like I’m something insignificant. A nuisance.“And you must be Desiree,” she says. “The new wife.”There’s something in the way she says it that rubs me the wrong way. Like she’s mocking me, like I’m just another temporary fixture in Caspian’s life. My blood boils, but I force myself to stay calm. I can’t give her the satisfaction of seeing how much she’s getting under my skin.“Yes,” I
Caspian's POVMike called earlier, asking if we could talk.A million reasons ran through my mind, but none of them prepared me for what he’s saying now.“I want us to make a deal,” he says, standing stiffly near the fireplace.“A deal?” I repeat.He nods, his gaze distant. “You remember when I asked you to give Mabel a seat on the board? You flat-out refused.”“And I’m not about to change my mind,” I reply, my tone leaving no room for negotiation.Mike picks up one of the figurines from the mantel, absentmindedly turning it in his hands. He hasn’t sat down since he arrived, pacing like he’s gearing up for a fight.“I figured as much,” he says, almost to himself. “But Mabel and I have decided to take it to the shareholders.”I frown, sitting up straighter. “What does that mean?”“It means she’s putting that business degree of hers to use,” he says, finally looking at me. “She knows you’re not the only one with power in the company. So she’s taking it to the other shareholders. Letting
Mike finally sets the figurine down, and by some miracle, it doesn’t fall. “I can handle her.”I narrow my eyes at him. “You’re an idiot if you think you can handle Mabel. She’s already pulling your strings, and you don’t even realize it.”He flinches, but keeps his gaze steady. “You don’t have to make this personal, Dad.”“Oh, it’s personal now, Mike. You come here, accusing me of using Desiree, but let’s be honest—you’re the one who threw her away. You made your bed with Mabel. Now lie in it.”Mike clenches his jaw. “I’m just trying to keep things from getting worse.”“And you think sacrificing my marriage is going to fix that?” I shake my head, disgusted. “This is bigger than you and Mabel, Mike. And if you really think you can manipulate me into giving up my wife for your power-hungry spouse, then you’ve lost your mind.”His face tightens, but he doesn’t back down. “Just think about it. It’s a simple trade. Desiree for peace.”I stand up, towering over him. “I won’t be making any
A honeymoon party? I don't know what they hope to achieve with such a stunt. But they're definitely cooking up something. Because as I go through the special guests of honor list, I see the entire members of the board as well as shareholders.What the hell?My mind races as I try to piece it together. This looks like a threat. They’re not just celebrating their love—they’re making a power move. It’s more than just a party. It’s a calculated display of unity, one meant to sway the board in Mabel’s favor.I’m still staring at the screen, processing it all, when I hear Desiree’s footsteps on the stairs.“Are you done with the meeting?” she asks.“Yeah,” I reply, not looking up. “What was it about? I tried eavesdropping, but you were too far away,” she teases.I chuckle too, but it feels hollow. Instinctively, I turn around to tell her everything, to share the whole ridiculous situation. But something stops me. The words catch in my throat. How can I tell her? How do I admit that I mad
“I—” I start, but the words die in my throat. What can I say? She’s right. I didn’t consult her, didn’t consider her feelings when I made that deal with Mike. And now I’m scrambling, trying to fix something that feels like it’s already slipping out of my control.Her eyes narrow, and I can see the hurt beneath the anger. “You know, Caspian, for once I thought you were different. I thought what we had was real. But you’re just using me like everyone else. I’m just a pawn in your little game, aren’t I?”I flinch. Her words hit harder than I expected. “It’s not like that. You know it’s not.”“Do I?” she shoots back. “Because right now, it feels like I’m just another piece in your chessboard. You made a deal to divorce me without even thinking about how I’d feel, how it would affect me.”“I didn’t—” I stop, struggling to find the right words. “I didn’t mean for it to go this far. It was just… part of the plan.”“Part of the plan,” she repeats bitterly. “Everything is always part of some p
Desiree's POVCaspian's hands are on either side of my head, and his lips hover just a breath away from mine. Every inch of me wants to stay angry, to hold on to the frustration and the fight, but how can I when he’s standing so close, looking at me like I’m the only thing in the world that matters?He just told me he loves me.And, well, I don’t know what to say.“You don’t have to say anything, Desiree,” he says softly, as if reading my mind. “I know I’ve made mistakes. Hell, I’ve probably made more than my fair share. But one thing I’m not going to mess up is us. I won’t let anyone or anything take you away from me.”I bite my lip, the weight of his words sinking in. I’m quiet for a moment, just thinking. My heart is pounding, and for a second, I wonder if he can hear it. I let out a small breath. “You always know how to sweet-talk your way out of trouble, don’t you?”He smirks. “And you’re always looking for fresh trouble to throw at me.”“Are you calling me a troublemaker?” I ask
Dr. William turns to us, his smile widening. “It’s a girl.”For a moment, the world stops. A girl. We’re having a daughter.“A girl,” I repeat, the words tasting foreign and magical on my tongue. Tears spill over before I can stop them, and I press a hand to my mouth, overcome with emotion.Caspian is silent beside me, his gaze fixed on the monitor. When he finally speaks, his voice is rough, as if he’s struggling to keep his own emotions in check. “A girl,” he echoes. Then, with a soft laugh, he adds, “God help her if she inherits your stubbornness.”“Excuse me?” I glare at him, though the tears streaming down my face probably ruin the effect. “She’s going to be the perfect combination of both of us, thank you very much.”“Let’s hope she leans more toward your good looks than my temper.”“Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit your ego,” I shoot back, though my voice is choked with laughter.Dr. William chuckles, stepping back to give us a moment. “I’ll print out some pictures for you two. T
The words hang in the air like a bombshell, and for a moment, no one speaks. I feel the blood drain from my face, a sinking sensation spreading through my chest.“Oh.” It’s all I can manage, my voice small and unsteady.Caspian steps closer to Mike, his expression unreadable. “And?”“I’m afraid,” Mike admits. “What if I’m not his son? What if it changes everything?”The vulnerability in his tone pierces through my irritation, replacing it with a pang of guilt. I lean forward, my arms resting on my knees. “Mike, it’s okay to be scared. But whatever those results say, it doesn’t change who you are. Not to us.”“You say that now. But what if I’m not really his? What if I’m just… nobody?”“You’re not nobody,” Caspian says firmly, his voice leaving no room for argument. He crouches in front of Mike, meeting his gaze head-on. “You’re my son, no matter what some piece of paper says. Blood doesn’t define family. Loyalty, love, and respect do. And you’ve got all of that in spades.”Mike’s eyes
“Oh, thank you,” my mom purrs, her tone suddenly ten shades warmer. “It’s nice to be appreciated.”I roll my eyes. “Are you two done? Or should I leave the room?”Caspian waves me off, his focus entirely on the call. “We’ll get the drives analyzed as soon as they arrive. If there’s anything incriminating, we’ll find it.”“I expect nothing less,” my mom says. “I’ll overnight them to the house. And, Caspian?”“Yes?”“Don’t let my daughter bully you into downplaying this. It’s important.”I groan. “Mom!”“I mean it,” she says. “You married into this family. You should know we fight dirty when we have to.”Caspian laughs, low and amused. “Noted. Thank you.”“Good night, Caspian. Desiree, call me tomorrow.”“Yeah, sure. Good night,” I mumble, snatching the phone back as the call ends. I toss it onto the coffee table and slump into the cushions.“She’s insane,” I say, more to myself than to him.“Insanely effective,” Caspian counters. “You have to admit, it’s a brilliant move.”I narrow my
Caspian chuckles. “You're welcome.”He kisses me with an intensity that takes my breath away, and I kiss him right back. His lips taste of me. I moan softly into his mouth, our tongues intertwining in a passionate dance. I am his, he is mine, and nothing else matters at this moment. He pulls back to gaze into my eyes, our foreheads pressed together as if we're the only two souls left in the world. His eyes are filled with an emotion I have never seen before, a dark, primal hunger that scares and thrills me all at once. At this moment, I am his. His to control. His to use. His to love. I am his plaything, his toy, his possession. In the charged silence, I can feel his grip tighten on my hips."Please," I say. "Make love to me."He smiles then, a slow, predatory grin.“Want more, Cherry?” he asks.I nod in reply.He lifts me up as if I weigh nothing, my legs wrapped around him, and places me against the cold, hard stone of the nearest wall. My back meets the icy surface and I cry out,
“Every last one of them.” He shuts the door with a soft click. “You missed the dramatic exits. Jessica and Uncle Bruno had a showdown over the last cupcake. Bruno won, of course. By sheer brute force.”I chuckle, imagining Jessica’s indignation. “She’ll never let him live it down.”“Probably not.” He loosens his tie, and I can’t help but watch. There’s something almost hypnotic about the way he unwinds, each movement shedding the polished image he wears in front of the world.“You didn’t have to throw that party,” I say, my fingers tracing invisible patterns on the blanket. “It was too much.”“Too much?” He smirks, stepping closer. “You’re carrying my child. There’s no such thing as too much.”My cheeks heat, and I roll my eyes, though a smile tugs at my lips. “Still. It was sweet. Thank you.”He shrugs off his jacket, draping it over a chair before sitting on the edge of the bed. “Don’t thank me yet. I might’ve used the opportunity to have a little strategic meeting with the board. J
The entryway is packed with people—family, friends, even a few faces I don’t immediately recognize. Balloons and banners hang from the ceiling, and a massive sign reading “Congratulations, Mom and Dad!” stretches across the living room.“What the actual—”I turn to Caspian, who’s standing beside me looking calm, his hands tucked casually into his pockets, a slight smirk playing on his lips.“Surprised?” he asks.“You planned this?”He shrugs. “Guilty.”“You—” I gape at him, words failing me. “When? How?”“While you were busy arguing with your mom about leaving,” he says. “I made a few calls. Mike helped.”I don’t even have time to process my rage before Uncle Bruno barrels toward me, arms wide and voice booming.“Oh, Dee Dee, this is huge!” He scoops me up in a hug so tight I swear my ribs creak. “A baby! Just when I thought you couldn’t surprise us anymore.”“Uncle B, put me down before I suffocate.” My voice is muffled against his chest, but he complies, grinning from ear to ear.Je
I try to dodge her attempts to smother me, but it’s impossible. She pulls me into a bone-crushing hug, and I swear I hear Caspian chuckling behind me.“Mom, you’re—” I can barely breathe. “You’re squeezing me.”“Oh, hush. You’re pregnant. You’re invincible now!” She pulls back, her hands gripping my arms as she stares at me like she’s just been handed the Holy Grail. “We have to celebrate.”“No,” I say. “No celebrations.”She ignores me, her mind already racing ahead. “We’ll call your siblings, of course. And your aunt. And the cousins. Everyone has to know. Oh, we’ll have a big family dinner—”“We’re leaving for New York today,” I interrupt, my voice firm. “There’s no time for any of that.”She frowns, her face falling in a way that tugs at my heart. “But this is huge, Desiree. You’re having a baby! My grandchild!”“Which is precisely why I’m not ready for the entire family to descend on me like vultures,” I say, trying to keep my tone light but firm. “Mom, I love you, but no. We’re
Caspian tilts his head, pretending to think about it. “Technically, yes.”“Technically?!” I say, grabbing the sheet to cover myself even though he’s seen everything. “Oh my God. She’s going to know. She’s going to know! I’m going to have to move to another continent. Maybe Antarctica.”He chuckles, too relaxed for someone who’s just committed a cardinal sin. “I’m pretty sure you’re overreacting.”“No, I’m not!” I slap his chest, but he just grins, his hand reaching up to catch mine. “You don’t know her! She’ll bring this up every Thanksgiving for the rest of my life. My life, Caspian!”“She’s not going to bring it up,” he says, sitting up now. “And if she does, I’ll handle it. Relax.”“Relax?” I throw the sheet off dramatically and scramble off the bed. “I cannot relax! This is a disaster.”He watches me, amused, as I grab the first piece of clothing I can find—his shirt—and pull it over my head. It falls halfway to my knees, but it’ll have to do.“You’re adorable when you’re panickin
“Caspian!” I hiss, my hands flying to his shoulders. Before I can protest further, he captures my lips in a kiss, his tongue thrusting into my mouth as if he's trying to brand me as his own. "I can't get enough of you. You're mine," he says, the possessiveness in his tone making my heart race with excitement and fear. I shiver at the dark promise in his words, my body already slick with need for him. He pulls back to trail open-mouthed kisses down my neck and collarbone, nipping and sucking at my sensitive skin as he frantically works the buttons of my shirt—his shirt, actually—ripping it open to expose my lace-covered breasts to his hungry gaze. I moan and arch into his touch as his calloused hands palm my bare breasts, thumbs teasing my aching nipples. I can feel the wetness dripping from me, already anticipating the feel of him filling me. I watch him through heavy-lidded eyes, my body trembling with barely contained need. Once he's done undressing me, he takes a lustful look